Clamping clip

ABSTRACT

The clamping clip described here includes a clamping band the two end portions of which overlap each other in the closed condition of the clamping clip. A tongue disposed on the overlapped inner band portion is received by a tongue channel provided on the overlapping outer band portion, the shape of the tongue channel being complementary to the shape of the tongue. The tongue has a root part in which the tongue width, measured in the axial direction of the clamping clip, decreases from the full clamping band width to a smaller value, and an end part adjoining the root part, in which the tongue width constantly has the smaller value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the United States National Stage Applicationpursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No.PCT/EP2017/067357, filed on Jul. 11, 2017, which application claimspriority to International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/076366,filed on Nov. 2, 2016, which applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to clamping clips, and more particularly,to clamping clips with a stepless inner surface.

BACKGROUND

KR 20-0455752 Y1 discloses a clamping clip made of a clamping band, thetwo end portions of which overlap each other in the closed condition ofthe clamping clip. The overlapped inner band portion is tapered andengages in a complementarily shaped tongue channel provided on theoverlapping outer band portion. In another clamping clip known from KR10-1380212 B1, the tongue and the tongue channel have an oblong shape.In both cases the tongue and the tongue channel effect a mutualcentering.

With known clamping clips, radial installation requires the band ends tobe unhooked from a typically provided pre-positioning. This is not easybecause the known clamps are not designed for this. In addition, thereis a chance with known stepless clamping clips that steplessness is nolonger given after a radial installation because the tongue does notcome to lie correctly in the tongue channel.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a clampingclip comprising a clamping band the two end portions of which overlapone another in a closed condition of the clamping clip, the clampingband including a tongue arranged at an overlapped inner band portion,and a tongue channel arranged in an overlapping outer band portion, thetongue channel being complementary to the shape of the tongue forreceiving the tongue, wherein the tongue includes a root part thatdecreases in width from a first width to a second width, the secondwidth being less than the first width, and an end part adjoining theroot part, the end part having a third width equal to the second width.

It is the object of the invention is to provide a clamping clip with astepless inner surface that can be mounted both axially and radially ina simpler and safer manner.

This object is achieved with the present invention. The clamping clipformed in accordance with the invention is not pre-positioned andtherefore does not require the band ends to be unhooked for radialinstallation. The invention ensures the desired steplessness afterradial installation. At the same time, it ensures that after anydeformation of the clamping clip, e.g., during shipping and handling,the tongue is guided positively and safely into the tongue channel whenthe clamping clip is closed by means of a pair of pliers.

The shape of the tensioning hooks described below allows the clampingclip of the invention to be closed and re-opened with commerciallyavailable pliers. Furthermore, the clamping clip of the invention isreusable.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping clip is providedwith a tolerance compensation so that it can be mounted also on hard tonon-compressible materials.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the followingdetailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings andappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which correspondingreference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a clamping clip in the opencondition;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the clamping clip of FIG. 1 in a closed and tightenedcondition, seen from two different directions;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the clamping clip of an alternativeembodiment in the closed condition;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial views of further embodiments of the clampingclip, each in the closed condition;

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the clamping clip according to anotherembodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a side view and a perspective view of the clampingclip according to further modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are notlimited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular methodology, materials and modifications described and assuch may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only,and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood thatany methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice or testing of the exampleembodiments.

It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymouswith terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,”“around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in theneighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be usedinterchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It shouldbe appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms suchas “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,”“adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably asappearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” isintended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

The clamping clip shown in FIGS. 1-3 consists of clamping band 10 withoverlapping band portions 11 and 12. Starting from band portion 11 whichis the inner one in the overlapping area, clamping band 10 includes thefollowing parts: tongue 13, inner connecting hook 14 projecting from theoutside of clamping band 10, tension hook 15 also projecting outward,slot 16 extending in the circumferential direction of the clamping clip,tongue channel 17 formed on the inner side of clamping band 10, andoutward projecting outer tension hook 18.

Tongue 13 has end part 20, which is narrower than the full band widthand has parallel side edges and a rounded tip, and trapezoidal root part21 which increases in width from end part 20 to the full width of theclamping band. Tongue channel 17 has a shape complementary to tongue 13.

It has been found that the described geometry of tongue 13 and tonguechannel 17 with a conical root part 21 in combination with subsequentstraight end part 20 leads to a very safe automatic centering and thusto the desired stepless inner surface of the clamping clip. The safecentering is achieved in particular by conical root part 21 and thesteplessness is achieved in particular by straight end part 20.

In the closed condition of the clamping clip shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,connecting hook 14 (not visible here) engages in tensioning hook 18. Toclose and tighten the clamping clip, the clip can be gripped withuniversal pliers, which engage the ends of two tensioning hooks 15 and18 facing away from each other. At these ends, tensioning hooks 15, 18each have nose 22, 23 projecting in the circumferential direction toprevent the pliers from slipping off.

Waves 25, 26 are stamped into the band parts between slot 16 and therespective outer edge of clamping band 10, which waves compensate fortolerances between the circumference of the clamping clip and therespective object to be clamped. Waves 25, 26 are offset from each otherin the circumferential direction in order to achieve a 360° all-roundsupport without interruptions in the inner surface of the clamping clip.

With the design according to FIG. 4 end part 30 of outer band portion 12is bent and runs diagonally outwards at an angle. Tensioning hook 15 isprovided with inclined surface 31 facing end part 30, which serves as aramp for end part 30 when closing and tightening the clamping clip.

Between end part 30 and tensioning hook 18, inwardly projecting pointbead 32 is stamped into clamping band 10, which reduces the frictionbetween outer band portion 12 and inclined surface 31 and simultaneouslystiffens outer band portion 12 against deformation.

The shape of tensioning hooks 15 and 18 with noses 22 and 23 and theformation of inclined surface 31 on tensioning hook 15 in conjunctionwith point shaped bead 32 and bent end part 30 on outer band portion 12ensure the reusability of the clamping clip.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the clamping clip is provided with atolerance compensation in the form of waves 25, 26. This measure is notnecessary with every clamping clip; it can be useful depending on theproperties of the object to be clamped.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the clamping clip is equipped withtolerance compensating waves 35 which, unlike in FIG. 2, extend over theentire width of clamping band 10 but lie within an area supported byinner clamping band portion 11. This feature results in easierdeformability of the clamping clip for softer objects to be clamped.

In the further embodiment of FIG. 6, several tolerance compensatingwaves 36 are provided which again extend over the entire width ofclamping band 10 and are curved in the radial direction in such a waythat their outer edges 37 lie close to the object to be clamped in thetightened condition of the clamping clip. This avoids the risk of damageto elastomer materials, such as bellows, in the event of contact duringcomponent rotation. At the same time, the clamping clip is protectedagainst contamination, which in extreme cases can impair the tolerancecompensation.

As shown in FIG. 7, tensioning hook 15 arranged on the inner bandportion 11 can have several, preferably three, projections 38 facingaway from the inner end of the band, which ensure a secure gripping ofthe plier tool used for closing the clamping clip and thus a secureclosing. A single projection would not only be more susceptible tobreakage, but could also lead to a rotation of the plier jaw.

In the same way, tensioning hook 18 arranged on outer band portion 12can be provided with several, preferably three, projections 39 on itsplier engaging edge remote from the outer band end.

According to FIGS. 8 and 9, opening hook 40 is arranged on the side ofouter band portion 12 remote from the outer end of the band. The closedclamping clip can be opened by means of a plier tool engaging tensioninghook 15 and opening hook 40. The opening process is assisted by curvedband portion 41, which is arranged between opening hook 40 andtensioning hook 18 on outer band portion 12 and in which a second curvedband portion formed on inner band portion 11 engages when the bandclamping clip is closed.

The second curved band portion is omitted from the drawing. Its outerheight is greater than the clear height of curved band portion 41arranged on outer band portion 12. The difference in height results in abias which favorably affects the opening process. Furthermore, the innersurface of curved band portion 41 facing the outer end of the band isformed as a ramp.

The outer edge of opening hook 40, which serves to engage the pliers,may be provided with several, preferably three, projections 44 similarto the edge of tensioning hook 15.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, inclined surface 48 with centering groove43 is formed at the end of outer band portion 12 which is longer than inFIG. 4. Projection 45 formed on connecting hook 14 engages in thisgroove when the clamping clip is closed in order to prevent misalignmentof the clamping clip. Centering groove 43 also serves to reinforceinclined surface 48 in order to prevent its deformation during theclosing movement.

It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above andother features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Clamping band-   11 Inner clamping band portion-   12 Outer clamping band portion-   13 Tongue-   14 Connecting hook-   15 Tensioning hook-   16 Slot-   17 Tongue channel-   18 Tensioning hook-   20 End part of 13-   21 Root part-   22 Nose at 15-   23 Nose at 18-   25, 26 Tolerance compensating waves-   30 End part of 12-   31 Inclined surface-   32 Point shaped bead-   35, 36 Tolerance compensating waves-   37 Outer edge-   38, 39 Projections-   40 Opening hook-   41 Curved tape portion-   43 Centering groove-   44, 45 Projections-   48 Inclined surface

What is claimed is: 1-11. (canceled)
 12. A clamping clip comprising: a clamping band the two end portions of which overlap one another in a closed condition of the clamping clip, the clamping band including: a tongue arranged at an overlapped inner band portion; and, a tongue channel arranged in an overlapping outer band portion, the tongue channel being complementary to the shape of the tongue for receiving the tongue, wherein the tongue includes: a root part that decreases in width from a first width to a second width, the second width being less than the first width; and, an end part adjoining the root part, the end part having a third width equal to the second width.
 13. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a tensioning hook is arranged on the overlapping outer band portion.
 14. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a tensioning hook is arranged on the overlapping inner band portion.
 15. The clamping clip as recited in claim 14, wherein the tensioning hook comprises an inclined surface facing the outer band portion as a ramp.
 16. The clamping clip as recited in claim 15, wherein the inclined surface comprises a centering groove operatively arranged to engage with a projection on a connecting hook.
 17. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein an end part of the overlapping outer band portion is bent outward.
 18. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein the overlapping outer band portion comprises an inward projecting point bead.
 19. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein: the overlapping inner band portion comprises a connecting hook; the overlapping outer band portion comprises a tensioning hook; and, the connecting hook is operatively arranged to engage the tensioning hook.
 20. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein a band region at least partially aligned with the overlapping inner band portion comprises a radially outward projecting tolerance compensating wave.
 21. The clamping clip as recited in claim 20, wherein the tolerance compensating wave is curved in an axial direction in such a way that its outer edges abut against an object to be clamped in a tightened condition of the clamping clip.
 22. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, further comprising a tensioning hook on at least one of the overlapping inner band portion and the overlapping outer band portion.
 23. The clamping clip as recited in claim 22, wherein the tensioning hook comprises at least one projection facing in a circumferential direction relative to the clamping band.
 24. The clamping clip as recited in claim 22, wherein the tensioning hook comprises three projections facing in a circumferential direction relative to the clamping band.
 25. The clamping clip as recited in claim 12, wherein: the overlapping inner band portion comprises a first radially outward curved band portion; the overlapping outer band portion comprises a second radially outward curved band portion, the second radially outward curved band portion operatively arranged to engage the first radially outward curved band portion in the closed condition of the clamping clip; and, the overlapping outer band portion comprises an opening hook on a first side of the second radially outward curved band portion;
 26. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein the first side is opposite a second side of the second radially outward curved band portion, the second side being in closer proximity to an end of the overlapping outer band portion than the first side.
 27. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein an outer height of the first radially outward curved band portion is greater than a clear height of the second radially outward curved band portion.
 28. The clamping clip as recited in claim 25, wherein the opening hook comprises one or more projections which face away from an end of the overlapping outer band portion. 